The Mavericks will try to keep it around $8 million a year, but Kidd's group is going to shoot for more, of course.

The difference-maker might be length of contract. The Mavericks can stretch it out to three years if they want, but every dollar they pay to Kidd in 2010-11 is that much less they will have to use on the free-agent bonanza next summer.

Without Kidd, the Mavericks can get down to perhaps the $20-million area. That would give them plenty of dough to go after two guys from the group of Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire or even LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.

But if Kidd eats up $8-million or $10-million, it probably limits the Mavericks to one elite player in 2010.

Mark Cuban said this morning that he had a great visit with Jason Kidd in New York shortly after midnight and that "it's up to us to work on the details, but I'm very optimistic.''

Kidd can't sign anything until July 8, but contracts can be agreed to anytime now that the free-agent period has begun.

New York and other teams are falling in behind the Mavericks, who remain the favorite to keep Kidd. But these things are never easy.

The team also has been in contact with its other free agents: Brandon Bass, James Singleton, Ryan Hollins (restricted) and Gerald Green.

It appears the Mavericks also already have touched base with Quinton Ross, the former SMU and Kimball High standout. The 6-6 swingman played for Memphis last season and spent four years with the Clippers before that. He's a career 4.6-point scorer.

The Mavericks also will hook up today with at least two more free agents, one of whom is believed to be Marcin Gortat, the center who played admirably with Orlando this season and appears ready to cash in this summer. Houston GM Daryl Morey was with Gortat shortly after midnight.

Expect the dominoes to start falling later today as players begin agreeing to deals. Once a couple of the key names sign, a lot of others will follow fairly quickly.